All pieces are decorated with the same hand-air brush painted and screen painted motif of orchids, irises and old-fashioned pinks gently swirled around the outer third of the pieces. This is NOT "transferware." All pieces are edged and/or trimmed with gold: . The pastel polychrome colored flowers are delicately shaded or highlighted for greater realism on a contrasting white background.
This set is being sold by the original owner. We used it for Spring and Summer holidays, Sundays, bridal showers, etc. at a time when the family gatherings, and home, were a bit larger, and we had two built-in hutches and a huge kitchen with another 40+ linear feet of cabinets. Our necessity to downsize/rearrange life is your gain!
The bottom of the pieces are marked in gold: "Fine China" (in script), "mikasa" (upright print with trademark symbols flanking it), "L 9561 (salad/dessert plate) Gabriele", "Japan."
This dinnerware set is in very good to excellent condition. There is very slight wear of the gold trim on a very few pieces, and a single small edge chip on the serving bowl and on one plate. There is no fading of the colors, no dishwasher soap residue on or etching of the porcelain. This set can be washed in the disherwasher, as per manufacturer's careful instructions. Use Cascade or Dishwasher All (beaded or liquid products--not the caustic powdered stuff), and a rinse agent. Use the air-dry setting. Between that and a less caustic dishwasher soap, the colors and gold last nearly forever, and the porcelain retains its shine. Once in awhile it's a good idea to run a second rinse alone, and again air-dry.
Mikasa is one of the two foremost Japanese post-World War II porcelain and semi-porcelain dinnerware and fine crystal manufacturers, and one of the world's best known makers, well regarded for its fine wares in many countries.
BONUS! Buy this Kutani-Satsuma Large Iris-decorated urn-vase that we're also offering for sale, with the Mikasa Gabriele dinnerware set and get everything for $700! Be all ready for your Easter/Spring Holiday festivities!
